Let's Discuss Far from the Madding Crowd

[Savannah, Founding Mother-Creator]

Let's discuss Far from the Madding Crowd! Please jot down any thoughts, predictions, etc. Be sure to hide any spoilers!

[Jade SiL]

I already started it three days ago, before I even knew it was a candidate. I'm loving it, so far.

P.S: The movie is coming soon...

[Savannah, Founding Mother-Creator]

Hahaha!

[Elsbeth]

I read this last year. I really loved it! It was my 3rd book by Thomas Hardy. The other 2 were: Jude the Obscure and The Mayor of Casterbridge. I thought Far from the Madding Crowd the most beautiful. The other 2 are a bit 'darker'. This one is more romantic...
I was doing a challenge last year, which made me read a book that was written by an author who had/has his/her birthday on the same day as you. It happened that Thomas Hardy's birthday was also June 2nd and that for 2 other groups the groupread was a book by him and I really like his writing style (talking about lucky coincidenses...)! :)

I hope you'll all enjoy this book!

[Ally]

Happy belated birthday, Elsbeth!

I started this at the end of May and only got about 30 pages in before other things took priority. I've been really pressed for time lately, but will join the discussion if I can! Either way, this one's on my definitely-to-read list. :)

[Jessica]

That is really cool Elsbeth! And that is a great idea to read a book by an author with the same birthday as you! Ally are you still reading this one? I just started and I can tell I will really start to like Gabriel's character! He just seems so aloof and like he would be good company!

Jade, I have to read this book before watching the movie!!! When is it coming out??

[Jade SiL]

LOL, of course we got to read this first! ;)

I was reading it slow at first, I needed to get used to the genre, but once I passed 45% of the book I could not put it down! I've read 78% of the story now :D

PS: I'd like to order two Gabriel Oaks, please!

[Jade SiL]

It already premiered in UK!

[Jessica]

Oh gosh I have to go a little quicker now! LOL two Gabriel Oaks! I'm still at the beginning (view spoiler)[but I love how he watches Bathsheba and then offers to pay to get her through the gate. He seems like a true gentleman and also one who won't fall for her foolishness... if she is foolish... Haven't really gotten to her character yet. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Ok I'm not sure I'm a fan of Bathsheba it doesn't seem like she knows what she wants at all. I understand she's an independent woman, but she isn't even giving poor Oaks a chance!

[Jade SiL]

Ooh you'll like her even less then, but go on ;)

[Jessica]

Ok.... (view spoiler)[She's his boss now!!??!! (hide spoiler)]

[Jade SiL]

I love the fact that here the men are the ones who get their heart broken.

[Jessica]

"He wasn't quite good enough for me." Ugh what a priss!

[Jessica]

I wouldn't mind Bathsheba breaking their hearts if she wasn't doing it in such a careless, heartless way...if that makes any sense.

[Jade SiL]

I do think she doesn't know what she wants, or that we, readers, aren't able to comprehend what she wants; maybe she's too far ahead of her time.
There are times when I want to yell at her (view spoiler)["Wake up, Oak is the One!", but I have faith that, in the end, she'll finally fall for him. (hide spoiler)]

[Jade SiL]

I finished it... It's one of those novels that leave you wondering what to do with your life now that you have finished.
Yup. I'm definitely starting another Hardy novel now.

[Jessica]

I'm loving it so far. I really hope to finish today. I'm on chapter 37. (view spoiler)[I can't believe Bathsheba married Troy! He just got all the workers drunk and Gabriel is the only one taking care of everything and a storm is on the way! I hope Bathsheba realizes everything Gabriel does for her and her farm! He is too good for her and she is an idiot!! (hide spoiler)]